High-profile musicians and special-edition watches go well together. And even more so when the collaboration takes place for a good cause.

Hublot and Depeche Mode have collaborated for seven years now, but the renewed 2017 connection makes more sense than ever: Depeche Mode’s first new album in four years was just released on March 17 to be followed by a high-profile tour starting in May, so the band is back in the news.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode

Proceeds from the sales of Hublot Depeche Mode watches actually go to raising funds for charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean drinking water to developing countries.

Spirit, Depeche Mode’s fourteenth studio album, was released to positive reviews only a few days before the start of Baselworld 2017. For a band that has been around since 1980, this represents quite a feat.

Depeche Mode private concert for Hublot at Baselworld 2017

The quintessential techno-pop band also has a history in working with charities, using its celebrity to promote and raise funds for a number of charitable institutions.

Hublot and Depeche Mode have supported charity: water since 2013, during which time the money raised has allowed 229 projects to come to life in Nepal and Ethiopia, bringing clean, safe water to more than 30,000 people. The high-profile partners are looking to top those numbers this time around.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode

Fusion

When LVMH watch division head Jean-Claude Biver picked up the classic Hublot back in 2004, dusted it off, and entirely revamped it, he implemented what he called the fusion element to create the Big Bang, a timepiece that he continues to use as a showcase for various materials and ideas that have not yet been used in Swiss timepieces.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode

This Depeche Mode timepiece powered by Hublot’s own Unico movement containing an integrated column-wheel chronograph is a great example of the chameleon-like art of fusion as practiced by Biver.

The Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode’s case and lugs are crafted in jet-black ceramic, which has allowed for the inclusion of large three-dimensional clous de Paris triangles expressing a rock chic attitude (though, personally, I would have said this design looks more Kiss than Depeche Mode . . . ).

Hublot Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode

The skeletonized dial allows the observer to look past the hour markers, which are also decorated with large stud-like triangles, into the movement – but not before noticing the “DM” Depeche Mode logo at 6 o’clock.

The transparent sapphire crystal on the flip side is decorated with a charity: water logo.

The watch comes on a black rubber and calfskin cuff with black plated metal studs for the total look.

Depeche Mode private concert for Hublot at Baselworld 2017

By the time the Global Spirit Tour kicks off on May 5 in Stockholm, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode will be available to purchase from Hublot retailers.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode

For more information please visit www.hublot.com/en/news/depeche-mode-continues-charity-collaboration-with-luxury-watchmaker-hublot.

Quick Facts Hublot Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode
Case: 45 x 16.3 mm, ceramic with composite resin bezel
Movement: automatic Caliber HUB1242, 72-hour power reserve
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date, flyback chronograph
Limitation: 250 pieces
Price: £19,900